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Starting from scratch

Thomas GaleThomas Gale
edited October 2004 in Development
Hello,
I'd lack to have a crack at writing a Spectrum game. I have very limited programming experience from mucking around with javascript and VB and no idea how to start. What advice would you kind people have for me?
Tom
Post edited by Thomas Gale on

Comments

  • Philip KendallPhilip Kendall
    edited October 2004
    NB: This isn't meant as a "please get lost and never come back message". It's intended as friendly advice designed to let you enjoy yourself. Please take it in the spirit it's meant, even if it's not well worded...

    I'd honestly say that the best thing to do would be to learn to program in a 'proper' language first.

    Of the two options available on the Spectrum, BASIC will leave you frustrated because it's very limited and Z80 assembler will leave you frustrated because you won't be able to get anything done in it.

    Once you've learnt a programming language (or preferably more than one), come back to the Spectrum. You'll be more than welcome.
  • DunnyDunny
    edited October 2004
    Or pick up one of the many, many quality games designers for the spectrum. You could have literally minutes of fun (before it crashes) with Laser BASIC, design hundreds of identical 3D isometric games with CRL's 3D Game Maker, be baffled by the FORTH-like implementation of White Lightning, or crawl around a 1-2 fps in a freescape game of your own design with 3D Construction Kit. Oh, and my own BASin is designed to allow you to create mind-blowing multicolour, fast paced smooth action games with awesome graphics and sound effects[1].

    Alternatively, if you really want to do some good stuff then do what Phil suggested - learn a bit of C and grab a copy of the z88dk, it's apparently pretty good.

    D.

    [1] I am, of course, lying through my teeth here.
  • Thomas GaleThomas Gale
    edited October 2004
    Thanks Phillip, I'll most certainly take you reply in the spirit that it was intended. However, I am quite keen to have a crack at this. I'm sure you're right and that I'll become deeply frustrated within the first five minutes! Is there an online resource for masochists like me?
  • monty.molemonty.mole
    edited October 2004
    If you want to actually learn programming on the Spectrum like in the good old days (rather than just creating a game in one of the game creators, or without involving yourself with the distractions of "modern" object oriented languages and cross-platform development), then there are loads of resources available on the internet and elsewhere.

    The first port of call is obviously the BASIC manual that came with the Spectrum, available here. There are many other web pages that cover various aspects of programming, as a quick Google search will reveal. You may also want to find some second hand books that deal specifically with Spectrum programming. There are loads of these available on eBay at any one time, and range from BASIC programming for the absolute beginner; to advanced machine code programming. In particular, I recommend that you look out for a complete set of the "Input" magazines that were published in the mid-eighties. This periodical was intended as a complete programming course for the Spectrum and other contemporary computers, and covered topics such as creating games, graphics, utilities, machine code programming, etc. I found it to be of great use.

    There were many BASIC listings in old computer magazines and books that you might want to study. They are either available from the Type-Ins section of this site, or in the scans of the old magazines also available here. Many programmers started out by typing in programs like these, studying and modifying them, until they were confident enough to code themselves.

    [ This Message was edited by: monty.mole on 2004-10-01 15:18 ]
  • ArjunArjun
    edited October 2004
    As others have already suggested the practical bits before, I'll just spell out some not so obvious stuff:

    If you want to write a Spectrum games like the commercial ones (Jet Pac, Manic Miner, etc etc), you will be better off learning Z80 assembly language. I dunno about C and z88dk for z80 development, so can't comment on that approach. As it stands, this is the ONLY way to write a decent Spectrum game from scratch.

    If you are happy enough to write games in BASIC (quick and dirty) you will be better of picking up a Spectrum BASIC book (there are hundreds - take your pick). This, I suspect you already know. :)

    Alternately, if you just want to program a Spectrum game for the heck of it, you may want to check some of the game designers that were released for the Speccy (look in the archive). Mind you, some of them were utter crap and the games were a plain laugh.

    There is another thing you could do, if you like text adventure games. Download The Quill/PAW alongwith the excellent manuals and program a text adventure games. Some really excellent adventure games were written using these tools.

    Good luck!
    Zero - A modern Spectrum emulator for Windows.
    Bytes:Chuntey - Spectrum tech blog.
  • nickuntnickunt
    edited October 2004
    Forgive me for asking this. I'm using RealSpectrum and I would like to run an assembler/disassembler on it to allow me to enter the z80 code often seen listed in this forum. I've seen mention of z88dk but I'm not sure what it is.
    Can anyone suggest something suitable?
    (I'm a COBOL programmer, by the way. Hoorah!)
  • ErlstonedErlstoned
    edited October 2004
    Forgive me for asking, but does using a cross-assembler more accurately fit your desires?

    TASM is not bad, but it has a trial period of 30 days (and mine is up, so I'm no longer using it haha), then $27.

    Maybe somebody else could suggest a good freeware crossassembler for Windows? I need one too :)
  • ErlstonedErlstoned
    edited October 2004
    Afterthoughs.

    1) You also could try using an emulator with a buil-in assember-disassembler. Some I know of are: Spectaculator, RealSpectrum, EmuzWin, SPIN, UnrealSpeccy.

    2) Frequently, authors of the code post the binary snapshot as well.

    3) Did you mean RealSpectrum or real Spectrum?

    _________________
    Well done, Axil the very able. You have made it to an exit.

    [ This Message was edited by: Erlstoned on 2004-10-12 17:08 ]
  • nickuntnickunt
    edited October 2004
    RealSpectrum. The emulator. Not "A real spectrum". Although I have a few of those as well.

    RealSpectrum (the emulator) will allow me to enter assembler and compile it for me, then?
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